Scalp masking system

ABSTRACT

A kit for use in masking a scalp of a person to minimize the appearance of hair loss includes a container of powdered masking material, and at least one applicator brush. The applicator brush is operable to transfer the powdered masking material to at least a portion of the person&#39;s scalp. At least some bristles of the applicator brush have a varying length such that distal ends of the at least some bristles collectively define an angled application profile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems for use in masking or concealing baldness.

2. Related Art

Hair loss can occur for many reasons, including genetic predisposition, medical treatment regimes, age, etc. Regardless of the reason, many people are not comfortable with their appearance when balding is evident. To address this concern, a variety of products have been developed that allow a person to mask or conceal the appearance of hair loss. For example, wigs, or toupees, are often used to conceal baldness. Unfortunately, wigs and toupees can be hot and uncomfortable, and can be prone to becoming easily dislodged from a person's head. Additionally, quality hair replacement pieces can be expensive.

Other efforts at concealing hair loss or baldness include the use of “cover” materials, such as hair spray coloring or paint, and makeup or concealing cream. Unfortunately, these cover materials can be messy in application and are not easily “touched up” or maintained. For example, hair spray coloring or paint often over-sprays the desired area of application, and the spray can produce excess mist that can leave a residue on adjacent skin and objects. Additionally, makeup and concealing cream often require application with the user's hands in order to apply a sufficient amount to the affected hair and scalp area, thereby requiring the user's hands to be cleaned after application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an inexpensive system for concealing hair loss. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to provide a system for concealing hair loss that allows for precise application of cover material to specific areas of the scalp while reducing application of excess cover material to other areas of the scalp, hair or hands.

The present invention provides a method for masking a scalp of a person, including: applying a powdered masking material to at least a portion of an application end of an applicator; maneuvering the application end of the applicator between hairs on the person's head; and contacting the scalp of the person with the applicator end of the applicator to transfer powdered masking material to the person's scalp to mask an absence of hair from the person's scalp.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for masking a scalp of a person is provided, including: applying a masking material to application ends of at least some bristles of an applicator brush; maneuvering the application ends of the at least some bristles between hairs of the person's head; and contacting the scalp of the person with the at least some bristles to transfer the masking material to the person's scalp to mask an absence of hair from the person's scalp.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kit for use in masking a scalp of a person to minimize the appearance of hair loss is provided, including a container of powdered masking material and at least one applicator brush operable to transfer the powdered masking material to at least a portion of the person's scalp. At least some bristles of the applicator brush can be of varying length such that distal ends of the at least some bristles collectively define an angled application profile.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a scalp masking kit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an applicator of the scalp masking kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 2, shown with a lid in an open and a closed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of the scalp masking kit of FIG. 1, shown with the applicator of FIG. 2 disposed in a container having a closure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an applicator of the scalp masking kit of FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a woman exhibiting an exemplary balding pattern maskable by the present invention;

FIGS. 7 a-7 d illustrate a method for using the scalp masking kit of FIG. 1 to mask hair loss on a user's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

The present invention generally provides a system for applying a hair loss concealing material to the scalp of a user to mask or conceal the appearance of hair loss. The system can include a powderized concealing material disposed in a container. The system can also include an applicator that can be dipped into the container to deposit the powderized concealing material on the applicator. The applicator can include bristles that can form an applicator end. The bristles can be sufficiently soft so as to not aggravate the skin of the user's scalp, yet sufficiently firm so as to press the powderized concealing material onto the user's scalp.

Some bristles of the applicator can have varying lengths such that distal ends of the bristles can collectively define an angled application profile relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles. Other bristles of the applicator can also have varying length such that distal ends of the other bristles collectively define a secondary angled application profile relative to longitudinal axes of the other bristles that is different from the primary angle. The primary and secondary angled application profiles can be angled to provide for application of concealing material to specific areas of the user's head or scalp.

The present invention also generally provides a method for masking or concealing the scalp of a person including applying a powdered masking material to an application end of an applicator. The application end of the applicator can be maneuvered between hairs on the user's head. The scalp of the user can be contacted with the applicator end of the applicator to transfer the powdered masking material to the user's scalp to mask an absence of hair from the person's scalp, e.g., to mask a balding condition of the person.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a hair loss concealment system or kit, indicated generally at 10, is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for use in masking a scalp of a person to minimize the appearance of hair loss. The system or kit 10 can include a container 20. The container 20 can have disposed therein a masking material (30 in FIG. 4). The container can include a closure or lid 22 to secure the powdered masking material within the container to minimize spillage and/or contamination of the powdered masking material.

The masking material 30, which can be provided in a powdered form, can be configured to mask or conceal the scalp 12 of a person's head 14 (see FIGS. 6-7 d). In one embodiment, the masking material serves to mask a balding condition of a person by coloring the user's scalp to match the hair color of the person. In this manner, the bare scalp is not so readily visible beneath the remaining hairs of the person's scalp. In another embodiment, the scalp can be colored such that it does not exactly match the color of the person's hair, but still operates to mask the balding condition of the person, e.g., the scalp can be colored lighter or darker than a color of a majority of the person's hair.

The kit 10 can also include at least one applicator 40, which can be, for example, a brush applicator including a plurality of individual bristles. The applicator can have a handle 42 and an application end 44. The applicator can also include a lid (48 in FIG. 3) that can enclose the application end 44 of the applicator. The applicator brush 40 can be operable to transfer the powdered masking material 30 to at least a portion of the scalp 12 of a person's head 14.

The present invention advantageously includes applicator 40 to allow application of the masking material 30 to the scalp without requiring that the person applying the masking material contact the masking material with his or her hands. Other types of hair loss concealing systems, such as concealing creams, can apply excessive masking material to the user's scalp and hands, as such creams are generally applied by hand. Additionally, hair spray concealers often have excessive “over spray” that can leave residual masking material on areas and objects adjacent to the area that is to be masked.

In contrast, the applicator 40 of the hair loss concealing system 10 of the present invention provides a clean and efficient method for applying masking material to a user's scalp since the person's hand can grasp the handle and need not come into direct contact with the masking material. The applicator can also reduce the use of excessive amounts of masking material as the bristles of the applicator can efficiently distribute the masking material to the user's scalp. Additionally, the system can allow for a quick, clean “touch up” of masked areas by simply dipping the applicator into the container and applying the applicator to the scalp.

The applicator brush 40 can have individual or distinct bristles, indicated generally at 50 in FIG. 2, on the application end 44. The bristles 50 can be sufficiently soft so as to reduce aggravation to the person's scalp 12 from abrasion by the bristles 50 during application of the powdered masking material 30. The bristles 50 can also be sufficiently stiff so as to press the powdered masking material 30 onto the person's scalp 12. The individual bristles can each be capable of flexing or bending independently from a remainder of the applicator. In use, the applicator brush can be maneuvered to position the bristles 50 between the hairs 16 on a person's head 14 (FIGS. 6-7 d). In this manner, the concealing material is applied directly to the area of the scalp that is desired to be masked, without unnecessarily applying the concealing material to adjacent hairs.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, at least some bristles 50 of the applicator brush 40 can be of varying length such that distal ends 52 a of the bristles 50 can collectively define an angled application profile, shown generally at 54. For example, a first portion 56 of the bristles 50 can have a varying length to form an angled application profile with a primary angle 58 relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles, indicated by dashed line at 60. The primary angle 58 can be between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. In one aspect, the primary angle 58 can be about 45 degrees.

Additionally, a second portion or grouping 62 of the bristles 50 can have a varying length such that distal ends 52 b of the second portion of bristles collectively define a secondary angled application profile, shown generally at 64. The secondary angled application profile can form a secondary angle 68 relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles, indicated by dashed line at 66. The secondary angled application profile can be different from the primary angle 58, or the secondary and primary angles can be equal to one another, relative to the longitudinal axes, but formed at opposing angles to one another.

In one aspect of the invention, the secondary angle 68 can be between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. In one aspect, the secondary angle 68 can be about 45 degrees. The secondary angled application profile 64 can include fewer bristles 50 than the primary angled application profile 54 and, thus, the second portion 62 of bristles can cover a smaller area, with more precision, than the first portion 56 of bristles in use.

Thus, the bristles of the applicator can advantageously define primary and secondary angled application profiles. The primary and secondary profiles can aid in allowing the brush to flex when pressed against the user's scalp, so as to allow the user to direct the transference of masking material from the brush to a specific area of the scalp. In one aspect, the brush shape allows for very precise deposition of the masking material which, advantageously, can follow the natural hair line of the user. In this way, the applicator brush of the present invention can apply a hair loss concealing material or mask that has a very natural appearance.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one aspect of the invention, the applicator brush 40 and container 20 can be shaped and sized such that the applicator brush 40 can be stored within the container 20. A closure or lid 22 can be placed on the container 20 to protect both the powdered masking material 30 and the applicator brush. The cover can also aid in limiting spillage of the masking material. In one aspect of the invention, the applicator brush 40 can include an overall length of about 4.0625 inches, with the bristles having an overall length of about 0.875 inches. In one aspect of the invention, the applicator brush 80 can include an overall length of about 3.625 inches, with the bristles having an overall length of about 0.75 inches. The container can vary in size, but in one embodiment includes a diameter of about 3.25 inches and a height of about 2.875 inches.

Referring to FIG. 5, the kit 10 can include a second applicator brush 80. The second applicator brush 80 can be sized and shaped differently from the applicator brush 40. The second applicator brush 80 can be sized and shaped to provide for application of the powdered masking material 30 to portions of the scalp 12 not easily accessible when using the applicator brush 40.

In addition to the exemplary container 20 shown in the figures, the present invention can include a container for the masking material that is formed or contained within a portion of the applicator. While not shown in the figures, in this embodiment of the invention, the applicator can include a hollow portion within the handle of the applicator. Masking material can be stored within the hollow portion. Means (not shown) can be provided for expelling the masking material from the hollow portion and onto or into the bristles of the applicator. This aspect of the invention can provide a scalp masking system that can be easily carried in a purse, pocket or bag for use away from the home.

The present invention can also generally provide a method for masking or covering up the scalp 12 of a person's head 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 d. The method can include dipping at least a portion of the application end 44 of the applicator 40 into a container 20 of the powdered masking material 30, as shown in FIG. 7 a. The method can include applying a powdered masking material 30 to an application end 44 of an applicator 40, as shown in FIG. 7 b. The application end 44 of the applicator 40 can be maneuvered between hairs 16 on the user's head 14, as shown in FIG. 7 c. The scalp 12 of the user can be contacted with the applicator end 44 of the applicator 40 to transfer the powdered masking material 30 to the user's scalp 12 to mask an absence of hair from the user's scalp, as shown in FIG. 7 d.

The masking material 30 can be formed from a variety of materials and can be provided in a variety of configurations. In one aspect of the invention, the masking material can be provided in a powdered, or powderized, form. As used herein, the term “powdered” form is to be understood to refer to a form in which individual particles or aggregates of the masking material can be relatively easily separated one from another. The constituents of the masking material can also vary, and in one aspect of the invention the masking material includes iron oxide, and can also include ultramarine colorant and/or manganese violet colorant.

The present system can be used by a variety of people having a variety of balding conditions. For example, the present system can be used by men having a balding condition typically referred to as male pattern baldness. In addition, the present system has been found to perform well when used by women, who can suffer from balding patterns often referred to as “thinning hair.” The present system is particularly well adapted for use with this type of balding pattern, as the applicators 40, 80 can very precisely apply the masking material to the scalp 12 in and around hairs 16 of the woman's head (as shown in FIGS. 7 c and 7 d) without depositing the masking material on hairs adjacent to the balding area to be masked. In addition, the present system can advantageously be used by women whose hairs can often be longer and curlier than men's hair. The applicators of the present invention can be used to apply the masking material around and between sections of relatively long, curly hair.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein. 

1. A method for masking a scalp of a person, comprising: applying a powdered masking material to at least a portion of an application end of an applicator; maneuvering the application end of the applicator between hairs on the person's head; and contacting the scalp of the person with the applicator end of the applicator to transfer powdered masking material to the person's scalp to mask an absence of hair from the person's scalp.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a bristled applicator.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least some bristles of the bristled applicator are of varying length such that distal ends of the at least some bristles collectively define an angled application profile.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the angled application profile defines a primary angle relative to longitudinal axes of bristles of the bristled applicator of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the angle is about 45 degrees.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein other bristles of the bristled applicator are of varying length such that distal ends of the other of the bristles collectively define a secondary angled application profile, the secondary angled application profile defining a secondary angle relative to longitudinal axes of the other bristles that is different from the primary angle.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the powdered masking material to the application end of the applicator includes dipping at least a portion of the application end of the applicator into a container of the powdered masking material.
 8. A method for masking a scalp of a person, comprising: applying a masking material to application ends of at least some bristles of an applicator brush; maneuvering the application ends of the at least some bristles between hairs of the person's head; and contacting the scalp of the person with the at least some bristles to transfer the masking material to the person's scalp to mask an absence of hair from the person's scalp.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the masking material comprises a powder.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein at least some bristles of the applicator brush are of varying length such that distal ends of the at least some bristles collectively define an angled application profile.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the angled application profile defines a primary angle relative to longitudinal axes of bristles of the applicator brush of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the angle is about 45 degrees.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein other bristles of the applicator brush are of varying length such that distal ends of the other of the bristles collectively define a secondary angled application profile, the secondary angled application profile defining a secondary angle relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles that is different from the primary angle.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein applying the masking material to the application end of the applicator includes dipping at least a portion of the application end of the applicator into a container of the masking material.
 15. A kit for use in masking a scalp of a person to minimize the appearance of hair loss, comprising: a container of powdered masking material; and at least one applicator brush operable to transfer the powdered masking material to at least a portion of the person's scalp; wherein at least some bristles of the applicator brush are of varying length such that distal ends of the at least some bristles collectively define an angled application profile.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the angled application profile defines a primary angle relative to longitudinal axes of bristles of the applicator brush of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the angle is about 45 degrees.
 18. The kit of claim 16, wherein other bristles of the applicator brush are of varying length such that distal ends of the other of the bristles collectively define a secondary angled application profile, the secondary angled application profile defining a secondary angle relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles that is different from the primary angle.
 19. The kit of claim 15, wherein the applicator brush and container are shaped and sized such that the applicator brush is storable within the container when a cover of the container is placed on the container.
 20. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a second applicator brush, sized and shaped differently from the applicator brush to provide for application of the powdered masking material to portions of the scalp not easily accessible to the applicator brush. 